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Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on January 10, 2012 at 6:48pm

None of this is really new info. This post After PIR - Liberty Friday and Saturday Departures (clickable link to the post in your discussion forum) that I wrote is not just based on my own personal experience( Liberty changed for us – for the better!) but what RTC puts out in their   Family Guide (Clickable link – Page 5 bottom right hand paragraph)on basic info for Friday and Saturday Departures.

The Grad n Go issue was dealt with back in July or August when RTC FB put out a statement saying that it was an obsolete term and was no longer being used. They also stated that they had informed the RDC's to stop using it. They still do...old habits die hard...LOL...they can use whatever they like as far as I am concerned...they have a big enough job on their hands that they don't need to sweat the small stuff. However, since we were asked not to, then that's what we'll do. In fact the original title of that above post had Grad n Go in it. (Clickable link). When the statement came out I could have sworn I had seen the term on the RTC website and it was still on there on the main Graduation page. So I emailed PAO and asked what was up, they said it was obsolete and they would update the page. It was still there three months later and I emailed them again and they fixed the page promptly. When the term comes up we just address it at the time, no biggie.

As far as Departures for your Sailors…there are always exceptions. The basics are there for you…and that’s probably the best way to plan your travels around. I agree with diannep on the Sunday departure for yourself if you can swing it. If you can’t, then you’ve done the best you can…and be at peace with your decision. I agonized over leaving Tuesday or Sunday…once I decided, I was at peace with it. LaLa and diannep (maybe a couple of others) advised us on Sunday and I was so thankful! I made it late on Sunday as I knew that I would not know which airport my son would leave from.

We veteran moms try to get you the most recent information that we can. We have seven PIR groups running at a time and we stay on the most recently graduated ones for a little while after graduation. We LOVE hearing your PIR experience and chatting with the group about them. I once spent one night “talking” with a couple of moms driving home from PIR. It was a blast! We always ask the new moms to PLEASE give us any info that is different than what we give out as things can change at a moment’s notice in the military. Dianne has just recently been adding specific posts on the PIR groups that have graduated for info…though she always encourages the moms to come back ANYTIME and help out wherever they are comfortable! That’s why I stayed on. JessicaB had to leave the boards for a while (SOOO glad she is back – the more the merrier!) and I valued her info so much that I did not want it “lost”, so I started posting it and then found my own “niche”.

As far as going to PIR… wouldn’t have missed it for the WORLD! Here is a link to my BLOG BLOG OPS about it…I haven’t finished it yet... LOL! I and my two other sons went…I spent extra bucks for a non-stop flight and paid for luggage, GPS, IPASS, because I don’t travel and I wanted “peace of mind” …sacrificed the bucks. My hubby was in IRAQ and could not go. He went to my son’s graduation from “A” school on Gulfport. We could only afford one of us to go…so decided he should and I am so GLAD. It is very small at the “A” school ceremonies (only one other family member was there). He got to wear his uniform (AF) and I was able to book him home on the same flight as our son. TRULY feel blessed. Our recruiter suggested not going to PIR because of cost…he downplayed it for that reason. He is a good guy! Didn’t want me to feel bad if I couldn’t go.

I was originally only going to have one day with my son…I got THREE! Does that guarantee that you will? No. I KNEW it was one and got blessed with three…I would’ve been FINE with the one.

I know of some who can’t go to PIR for financial reasons and for reasons other than finances…they then make plans to go see there Sailor. That’s the best that they can do and their Sailor usually knows about it. I had one mom recently who did not know how she was going to get there…her sweet, fantastic, lovely son sent her the money for a plane ticket…and you know how little money they have left after deductions are made in Boot Camp. He wants his mother there! I WANT TO GO JUST SO I CAN GIVE HIM A BIG HUG!

**On a side note if there are any of you on here that cannot make PIR there is a care package you can buy and have given to them as a gift. I have the info if you need it. Also, we encourage all of you to “hook up” as families may adopt your Sailor for the day. I know one mom from mine that had a whole group with her at the Gurnee mall. One didn’t want to see the movie they went too and went shopping with her instead! *New Sailors are not allowed to be out in public alone…have to be with their sponsors (family) or buddy).

Semper Fortis Navy Family!

Comment by raeinaz on January 10, 2012 at 6:22pm

I just read the information that Arwen left...

"For those of you whose recruits will be going to schools in other cities, I would suggest buying a DVD of PIR and skipping Chicago entirely."

The recruiter told us the same thing when we found out our SR would be going to San Antonio for A school instead of staying in Great Lakes....And that is what our SR wanted us to do, so we could bring him his personal items to him then....but right after he left, we decided PIR, here we come...now maybe I will just send one of us????..OMGOSH...so much to decide.....

Comment by diannep on January 10, 2012 at 4:06pm

I was referring to A School "graduations" below.

Comment by diannep on January 10, 2012 at 4:05pm

I wouldn't have missed PIR for the WORLD!  If at all possible...GO!  We only had one day with our sailor.  PIR and time with him right after PIR until 8:15 pm (he wanted to be back on base 45 minutes early so as not to be late when walking back to his ship)  after 10.5 weeks of bootcamp (asmoed and holiday time in there) was so important.  I know that it is not possible for all of you to make PIR...but if you can, please do.  You won't regret it.  It is a lifetime moment!  The best.  I would still get the PIR DVD...that is the only time I spotted my sailor.   Didn't see him while there!  Dang!  My son had a short A School and said very few parents came to them (he had asked that I not spend the money to come and told me that no parents were there).  For the longer schools, more attend.

Most all of the sailors have been shipping out over the weekend for a good while now.  I know that someone asked that question on RTC FB about 4-5 months ago and that is what they said then.  We always recommend that you all book through Sunday on your return flight, if possible.  Flights can changed, weather can delay them, etc.  So best to be there through the weekend in case your sailors are there...we didn't know about airport visits when up there 2 yrs ago, so went sightseeing instead of going to the airport  :-(   (he didn't know either...they aren't told about that at RTC and some are even told NOT to have family come to the airports...but it is allowed!).  The heartbreaking thing is seeing people that booked their returns early on Saturday or even Friday night, only to have to say goodbye to their sailor who found he/she had liberty until Sunday (flights will be booked out Sunday if they are full on Saturday or are delayed for any reason).  Chicago is a pretty neat area, and you are close to Wisconsin too, so it is a great place to explore if your sailor leaves early!

Comment by astrid on January 10, 2012 at 1:49pm

Arwen, thanks for the info.  I assume this then overrides the possibility for the long weekend as well due to the holiday on the 20th.  

Lala, I will send you a contact request for ribbons.

BTW ladies, I had asked a questions about the coin engraving and could still use some guidance on that, I did not yet see an answer.

Comment by Arwen on January 10, 2012 at 1:26pm

I just learned that things have COMPLETELY changed at Great Lakes. They ALL leave for their A-schools on Friday and Saturday, unless there is some circumstance that makes it difficult for them to get flights or some other issue. I’m not sure when exactly this changed, but it is fairly recent. This week is the first I have heard of it, and I’ve been working to confirm information. I now have it confirmed from two sources at Great Lakes.

Here is a post from the official Great Lakes folks on the official Great Lakes RTC Facebook page:
“Grad & Go is an obsolete term that we no longer use because it doesn’t mean anything. All recruits either depart RTC on the day of graduation if they are staying at Great Lakes, or the next day if they are going out of state. The only exception would be for those recruits who are on hold for some reason or if there is an issue with their orders or ticket availability.”

For those of you whose recruits will be attending schools at Great Lakes schools; make your plans to spend the weekend there. Your recruits will transfer to their schools on Friday, then get a weekend of liberty, like always.

For those of you whose recruits will be going to schools in other cities, I would suggest buying a DVD of PIR and skipping Chicago entirely. When my younger son PIR’s (he’s currently working with the recruiter to enlist) goes to bootcamp, I will not be spending nearly $1,000 per person for my family for a one-day event. Instead, make plans to visit your new sailor during the next weekend (maybe a three-day weekend) at his or her school. If you do go for the PIR ceremony, get a hotel for Thursday and Friday, and fly home late Saturday. You can spend Saturday at the airport, where you may get to spend time with your recruit.

Comment by diannep on January 10, 2012 at 10:09am

I was wondering the same thing, Lala!  Ok, get busy on here, ladies!  No questions?  No letters?  No calls? No life experiences to report?  Talk it up!  :-)

Good morning all!

Comment by Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons on January 10, 2012 at 7:59am

Where oh where is this group hiding?

Comment by Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons on January 9, 2012 at 12:43pm

well not that all Navy Moms/wives etc are not the greatest but you know what they say about Carolina girls..... They are the best in the World :-)

Thanks for the ribbon and scarf orders everyone :-D

happy Monday everyone!!!

Comment by diannep on January 9, 2012 at 9:23am

I agree with FTLW.  There is lots of great info up top in the discussions, Hit VIEW ALL and scroll through.  If you have any questions after reading through, please post here.  We will try and answer!

Good morning all!

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